After visiting Vallado’s property in the Douro Superior earlier in the week, it was time to visit the original Quinta, which is on the border of the Baixo and Cima…
Foot-treading grapes at Quinta de Vargellas, Douro
One of the remarkable things about Port wine is foot treading grapes. For top quality Port, it’s necessary to extract as much as possible from the skins as fast as…
In the Douro: Quinta do Crasto
Quinta do Crasto is one of the most beautiful properties in the Douro, perched on a steeply sloped promontory sticking out from the right bank of the Douro, in the…
In the Douro: Quinta do Vale D. Maria
We arrived at Vale Dona Maria late afternoon in a torrential downpour. A rather sodden Cristiano Van Zeller walked over to us and greeted us warmly. It was nice to…
Answering questions about achieving online success
I was recently asked some questions (quite good ones) by someone researching a book. It took a while to answer, so I thought I’d share the responses here. 1) Tell…
In the Douro: Vale Meão
Vale Meão is an important property in the Douro Superior. It traces its history as a Quinta back to the end of the late 19th century, when Dona Antónia Ferreira…
In the Douro: at Vallado’s Casa do Rio
I’m in the Douro. It’s 0720 and from where I’m sitting I have a view of the Douro river, looking out from my room at Quinta do Vallado’s new luxury…
Video: interviewing Adi Badenhorst about his new wines
I caught up with Adi Badenhorst at Intrepid last week. He’s got some new wines out. Two in particular really appealed to me: a flor-aged Sauvignon Blanc called John Strikes…
Domaine des Roches Neuves Clos Romans Saumur 2012
I love this wine so much. I had it with Doug Wregg at Terroirs. It’s Chenin Blanc at its best. Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Clos Romans Saumur 2012 Loire,…